I want to make lightning.

Bongo Shrimp · Jan 14, 2012

So I always have loved the idea of storm mode with LEDs and I have a retrofit from nano tuners with 30 Cree XR-Es on my biocube 29g. I run the LEDs with my RKE and have played around with storm mode to see that it does in fact dim the lights for a storm. The only thing it's missing is lightning! Now I know that aqua illumination modules do simulate lightning. I was ordering if it would be possible to build a little device with 3-5 LEDs and I guess individual drivers for each one (?) and then maybe use the proper connectors to hook it up to my rke to make lightning. Do any of you LED/electronic gurus know how to do this or if it's even possible? If so I bet a lot of people would like to do it.

skinz78 · Jan 17, 2012

I am not sure, maybe someone who knows will chime in.

CJO · Jan 18, 2012

Making the LED fixture is pretty easy. Not sure how hard it is to program the RKE to control them. Also, I've heard that the lightning tends to stress fish, so I've never been really interested in trying it out.

CJ

Bongo Shrimp · Jan 18, 2012

I never thought about it stressing the fish. I will look into that though. It would make sense.

ReefLEDLights · Jan 18, 2012

CJO said:
Making the LED fixture is pretty easy. Not sure how hard it is to program the RKE to control them. Also, I've heard that the lightning tends to stress fish, so I've never been really interested in trying it out.

CJ

Exactly. When you go to the aquarium notice the signs that say "no flash photography". That's because fish lack iris's, not a pleasant experience.
I have to make a video of my office nano when I turn off the lights mid day both helfriches go straight to the top of the tank and start acting WEIRD. I am glad I have a net cover on that tank just in case. But that was the only time they got ***** like that.

-Rick